What causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There are studies being conducted to see if there may be a genetic link — that PCOS is passed along in families. Just as one might have a genetic predisposition to diabetes, one might also have a disposition to PCOS. The above analogy to diabetes seems appropriate as many current studies into PCOS are focusing on the body’s ability to process insulin. A growing collection of data suggests that elevated insulin levels are unhealthy and contribute to increased androgen production, worsening PCOS symptoms from cosmetic issues to infertility, and eventually increasing the risk of certain cancers, diabetes and heart disease. It is also possible that PCOS may be caused or worsened by valproate, a medication used to treat seizures, but it is hard to say if it is the epilepsy per se or the agent used to treat it that brings about the PCOS symptoms in some women. The condition may be improved by switching to another medication.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also known as Polycystic Ovarian Disease, is often caused by a hormonal imbalance brought on by Insulin Resistance-related obesity. It’s a disorder that affects an estimated 5 to 10 percent of all women, and is one of the leading causes of infertility. A root cause of PCOS is Insulin Resistance. Symptoms of PCOS can vary widely from woman to woman and may include: irregular or completely absent periods, ovarian cysts, Hirsutism (excessive facial or body hair), Alopecia (male pattern hair loss), obesity, acne, skin tags, Acanthosis Nigricans (brown skin patches), high cholesterol levels, exhaustion or lack of mental alertness, decreased sex drive, excess male hormones and infertility. Other symptoms can include sleep apnea (breathing difficulties during sleeping), thyroid disorders and depression and anxiety. Current studies clearly link Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Insulin Resistance. A report released in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gyne
